Once you get past the fact that Slackware doesn't boot to the GUI, and actually get GUI up and running, things change! Slackware offers numerous options at setup time for the GUI. Since there are so many different X-Windows interfaces, Slackware takes the unusual but appreciated step of allowing you the choice of which interface you want. I chose the KDE interface, and I am glad I did.
The KDE interface is nothing short of gorgeous. Looking every bit like a Bill Gates offering, the KDE interface is a sight to behold. It has the type of desktop that every computer user knows and loves. It has a start button, a system tray that holds a clock, the volume control, and a few other goodies. You also have all open programs hanging out on a very Windows like task bar. It is simply breathtaking, and completely unexpected.
Of course all that beauty comes at a price. The KDE interface is a resource hog. With this older machine, KDE has a tendency to be a bit on the ker-chunky side. However, I cannot fault the operating system for the age and speed of this machine. If it were running a newer machine, this wouldn't be a problem.
Simply put, Slackware with the KDE interface is absolutely gorgeous. If it weren't for the fact that it doesn't boot to the GUI, I'd give it all five stars. If you can handle the fact that it doesn't boot to the GUI, then Slackware is just the thing! It’s pretty, and looks just like Windows from desktop to task bar. Everything on the desktop is more or less where you’d expect to find it with your average Microsoft offering. The taskbar is a bit oversized, but highly functional.
On the fifth criterion, overall impression of the distribution, Slackware gets four stars. It wasn't completely trouble free, but given the glitches noted in the other distributions tested so far, Slackware is pretty much the most trouble free of the lot. It has its shortcomings, to be sure. However, they are fairly minor. Anyone with a bit of savvy would be able to overcome them without a lot of effort.
Upon checking Slackware's site for user forums, the minor glitches I ran into setting it up are listed, as well as the cures for them. Beyond that, there are also other hints and goodies that give you clues to switch between other X-Window interfaces and looks. While Slackware isn’t perfect, at least the folks who set it up care enough to help the user fix some of the glitches that hit you on the way. In my opinion, this is not only classy; it’s what I would expect from a group that had put together such a nice operating system. Since Slackware was also the first Linux system I ever tried long ago, I can’t help but feel that bit of gratitude they kept up the good work. It was nice then, it’s even nicer now!
It sets up relatively easily. It finds all the devices, even if you have to cajole a few of them into working properly. All the programs you get work very nicely rivaling the kind of operation we have come expect from Microsoft. The KDE X-Windows front end is nothing short of beautiful. Overall, it's what I hoped for when I began The Linux Project: an open source free operating system that is made as much for the common computer user as it is for the ultra-geek who gets off writing JAVA applets. As I said above, when The Linux Project is over, I am definitely going to set Slackware up as my alternative to Microsoft. I don't lose anything, and I actually gain a bit over the standard Microsoft offerings.
Slackware? Oh yeah, it's the good stuff!
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